According to Johannesburg Tourism Company CEO Deon Viljoen, a number of major international conventions have been booked at venues around the city. These events include the World Petroleum Congress and the annual SAACI (South African Association of the Conference Industry) congress, as well as the 2006 World Disabled Peoples' Assembly and the 2009 World Internal Audit.
To keep organisers up to date on these developments is a free database of African events, updated and maintained by the Foundation for the Development of Africa. It can be accessed by visiting www.foundation-development-africa.org and following the link to Upcoming Events Serving Africa.
This page is currently rated number one in the world for events or conferences when searching for 'upcoming events africa' on www.google.com - a testament to the proactive manner in which this page is managed and maintained.
Peter Metcalfe, CEO of the Foundation for the Development of Africa, says: "It is vital that event organisers verify that their event will not clash with another major event or with another industry-related event.
"When this happens, it becomes that much more difficult to attract delegates and top-class speakers and to manage the logistics in terms of accommodation and travel arrangements."
Metcalfe has a wealth of experience in chairing events in South Africa and internationally and says a well run event requires more than just planning and execution: "It requires an excellent understanding of the industry, as well as the national and international arena in which the event or conference will be held. Event organisers are welcome to visit our Upcoming Events page to see what other events and conferences are scheduled at the time their event is planned and to submit their events to us, free of charge, for inclusion on this very popular web page."
